The hotel opens!!!!!

Honey needs a home still!!

Jandad

breaking into Vieques publications :)

showing off the property to Gov. Fortuño

making the "W" sign

part of Bill's tireless team, all spiffed-up

Secretary of Tourism, Viequense Mayor, PR Governor

post-press conference buffet

ah, the lobby floor is nice and cool

view from atop el Fortín

showing the rooms off to Jandad

brief rest before opening tomorrow!

gringo beach

W beach

W fire pit

Red Beach

these guys love nibbling our toes

our next-door neighbors for the week, from CO. DELIGHTFUL family. We'll miss them :(

Opening Day celebration at Red Beach!

Me & Victor (former Olympic swimmer, representing PR)

W ROCKS!!

In the past week, we've had so many adventures & events that rather than go into an endless babble and take time away from creating new adventures on this gorgeous, puppy-free Sunday (my friend Gillian has graciously agreed to watch the 2 remaining angels for 2 days), I will merely list this week's occurrences and allow the photos to fill in the blanks.

Sunday - Jandad (the term I coined for my dad & stepmom, AKA Grandad & Janet - I grew tired of constantly saying Grandad and Janet, since they do tend to come as a package deal so it's rare one will merely utter "Grandad" or "Daddy" or "John" without also including "Janet") arrived.

Monday - kids went to Oasis "school" and I played tour guide to Jandad (WWII bunkers, ginormous Ceiba, rebellious chapel, lunch, quick dinner at Duffy's, 6:30pm Bio Bay tour to see the best display in the world of dinoflagellates, these tiny organisms that leave a glowing wake when you splash around at night - we did the kayak trip, and watching Grandad scramble back into his kayak without sending Janet & Willo into the water was a spectacle in itself)

Tuesday - kids went to Oasis and I took Jandad to the Fortín to see the Taíno relics, Spanish torture paraphernalia and local art exhibits

Wednesday - 1 day before hotel opening!!!!! Jandad had a brief glimpse of Bill, who had been all but MIA since their arrival on Sunday, as the finishing touches were put on the hotel.

Thursday - HOTEL OPENING!!!!!!! We treat Jandad to breakfast at the hotel, as paying guests now, and without planning to end up attending the opening ceremony, with the Governor (Fortuño) and Viequense mayor (Delerme, one of the few female mayors in PR). Breakfast was delicious and Tessa was our server (she's excellent and I don't just say that cause she's my friend). Fortunately I'd combed Jackie's hair that day, first time in over a week, and I'd thrown on something nicer than a bikini & cover-up, because as I pulled the kids aside and out of the way of the parade (governor, mayor, GM, owner's reps, chief designer - the ubiquitous Patricia Urquiola - and all the paparazzi) - the governor spotted us and came over and on TV asked me and the kids where we were from and what did we think of the hotel? Later, during the press conference, Willo had gone missing for a bit but since our kids are now officially hotel brats and we allow them to roam freely, we weren't too concerned. Until we spotted him behind the official backdrop, peeking round it, just behind the governor (the dignitaries & co were sitting just below, in the lower part of the restaurant). Bill madly signaled for Willo to scat and then we suppressed our giggles ("what if he'd knocked the screen down onto the governor??"). A bit later someone from marketing or something came up to me to tell me my son is adorable, and wasn't it funny when he was making bunny ears over the governor's head?

Since the hotel was opened and the construction/design people could finally take a breath, we all went to Red Beach and shared champagne and basked in what to many of them was the first chance to get to this gorgeous beach, in spite of having been on this project for a couple of years. At least for a few hours, there was relief in that now it's up to the operations people to keep things smooth and successful.

Jandad offered to babysit and we went out to dinner at Conuco (my first time there) and had a delicious meal. It was also fun because when we walked in we knew people at 2 of the tables and that's always a sign that one's at home somewhere. Then the designers arrived and we joined them. Not only are they incredibly talented, but they are great dinner companions.

Friday - homeschooled in the morning and Jandad sat nearby and read their respective books. Had lunch, then headed to the hotel cafe for a delicious scoop of homemade ice cream ($3/ball, yikes). Off to airport to see Jandad off - they got to hang out at the new lounge for W guests, and give their input to the manager there (turn down the music and the scented candles, but otherwise it's great). Then saw off Jess the Puppy, who left with Stephanie for her new home in CT. (Note: Stephanie said Jess did great on the flights and her new owners, Gia & Lily, report that she has adjusted famously to her new family and they're thrilled with her). 1.5 hours of mindless TV for the kids as I was in desperate need of a nap, then Bill came home early (5:30) and we headed out to Friday Night Pizza at Lazy Jack's. Saw Emily, Daisy the Puppy's new owner, who reported that she is thriving and Emily loves her.

Saturday - I taught yoga at the hotel, on the sun deck behind the gym. Had 5 people (not bad, as I think there are 12 rooms rented out this weekend) and put them through my 45 minute routine of upper body & core strengthening poses, in the hot sun (island version of hot yoga). Today we're going to hang out at the hotel pool/beach like "real" guests since we're staying at the hotel tonight. I hope no one from my yoga class clobbers me, as even I feel the results of the high-plank-low-plank-high-plank segments of yesterday's class.

After yoga & then lunch, we went to Red Beach for a few hours and stayed till the sun went down, beautiful.

I finished the book "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" this morning and it was just AWESOME. I had a hard time putting it down and am going to look up the author's children's books, I think Jackie will enjoy them.

Oh, and the local magazine, Vieques Events, is going to use 2 of my photos for their April issue - the cover! The smaller photo (pile of trash) was actually taken with my iPhone! And yes, that's Jackie & Willo in the photo.

Alright, must go pack now. Speaking of which, we still don't know when we're coming home but Bill's been muttering something about 2-3 weeks from now. I've already made the pediatrician's appointment for mid-April, which the kids need in order to be readmitted to their school.